''Though he burned out on tennis at the end before retiring at the end of 2009, Safin doesn't seem to so far mind the nonstop nature of politics. "It's 365 days a year, 24/7, I'm on the phone day and night. I wake up at 8 a.m., do a few push-ups, do some exercise. I really felt like that I have to do that before I start work.

"Then I leave for parliament which is 10 minutes drive from my house. Sessions start at 10 so I have a coffee, sit with parliament members and I start work. I work through until 6 p.m. and then depending on what I have to do in the evening maybe work some more from home. Then it starts again the next day."

Every success is a victory, no matter how small or how big the success. Marat wants to make a difference and that is what counts. I applaud his efforts and all of you on this site who support him, especially killerbee and maratmann. I love you both!!

So sorry about the trouble you've had with this forum lately, Chris.
Many old-timers have left and I don't come here often either but it would be sad to see the forum closed because of some troll.

And sorry, I'm not ready to become a mod I think. Maybe someone else would like to take the job? Anyway, thanks a lot for everything you've done Chris, I understand it's not easy to moderate this site!

Sveta was interviewed "Up Close and Personal" by Benjamin Adler today at Roland Garros.

She was also asked by @AdjustingTheNet about Marat: "He's quite serious about it (politics). He's so serious now (laughs)".

Awww...sounds like Sveta is missing her drinking buddy....remember the interview where she was talking about hanging out with him and saying something along the lines of "some of the places we ended up in....were " so I suppose it's not that surprising that Sveta was there that night Marat had his punch up with Bondarchuk's numbscull thug of a son...thank goodness!! as in thank goodness she was there to help!

Nizhny Novgorod region is one of the most promising and leading regions in the development of sport - Safin

Nizhny Novgorod. May 29. NTA-Volga - Nizhny Novgorod region is one of the most promising and leading regions in the development of sport. Deputy of State Duma of the Russian Federation, Honored Master of Sports Marat Safin told reporters.

"In my opinion, the Nizhny Novgorod region is one of the most promising and leading regions in the development of sport. You have to understand that until 2005, special attention had not been paid to sport, and as a consequence, healthy lifestyles", said Marat Safin. "Since 2007, 21 sports complexes have already been built, and the statistics confirm the positive effect of this work: juvenile crime has fallen by 40% and has doubled the number of people who play sports, there are almost 650,000 people. In addition, there has been a four-fold increase in the number of Nizhny Novgorod in the Olympic teams. I'm not ashamed to talk about it, and even to use the Nizhny Novgorod region as an example. I think there are very few of these regions.

"I've been where, watched in other countries in building, and I can confidently say that these sports and recreation centers, or almost no analogues. Building a sports complex is, of course, costly exercise, so many countries do not go at it and some other ways of trying to develop mass sports, but am not sure that is just as effective. But Valery Shantsev took a chance and built in the region as much as two dozen sports and recreation centers. Also, if you don't work with young people, we lose another generation, and it's incomprehensible how this could backfire. ( Could a Russian speaker translate this last sentence properly, please? )

"Also, as far as I know, for the first time in the history of Nizhny Novgorod Region team in the major leagues are the five most popular sports,"Volga", "Torpedo", "BKNN" and others. Shantsev, one might say, brought sport into vogue in the region, and fans had the opportunity to watch their favorite teams. Several times I myself was present at the games "BKNN" and "Torpedo" and I say the Sports Palace was full. People came with their families," said the deputy.

Recall that in the framework of regional development programs of social and engineering infrastructure, and, in particular, sports and recreation centers construction program, only the last five years have been built about 30 sports facilities. In addition, at the initiative of Governor Valery Shantsev, sports complexes (FOKs) appear in every district of Nizhny Novgorod region, as well as two in each district of Nizhny Novgorod. Construction of sports and recreation centers fundamentally change the social situation in the districts. In localities where the work is complex, the number engaged in physical culture and sports increased at times, and juvenile crime has decreased by an average of 40%.

"I've been in many places, watched what is being built in other countries and I can say with confidence that there are practically nowhere such or similar sports and recreation centers. Building a sports complex is, of course, costly, that's why many countries don't do that and try to find some other ways to develop mass sports, but I'm not sure that these ways are as effective. But Valery Shantsev took the risk and built in the region as many as two dozen sports and recreation centers. Also, if we don't work with young people, we'll lose another generation, and it could backfire in many ways."

I tried to make it a bit better. Hope you get the idea now.

Yes Marat is so serious now in politics. I hope he can achieve some good things.

Thanks, Maria! That's much clearer. I think to achieve good things, one must be serious (and good), and Marat is genuinely both. I can't imagine him losing his sense of humour along the way, in fact he'll need it now more than ever, to stay sane.